In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John is shown a vision of a book that is sealed on its backside with seven seals. Nobody but the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, was able to open the book and loose the seven seals. Chapter six tells of what is contained in the book as each seal is opened. In these latter-days the Prophet Joseph Smith received revelation telling us what the book and its seven seals represent:
Doctrine and Covenants 77:6-7
6 Q. What are we to understand by the book which John saw, which was sealed on the back with seven seals? A. We are to understand that it contains the revealed will, mysteries, and the works of God; the hidden things of his economy concerning this earth during the seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence.
7 Q. What are we to understand by the seven seals with which it was sealed? A. We are to understand that the first seal contains the things of the first thousand years, and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh.
From the above verses, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that the temporal existence of the earth will last 7000 years. This means that from the fall of Adam and Eve until the end of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, will be 7000 years. We believe that this patterns the temporal existence of the earth similar to the seven periods of creation. We believe that each of the seven seals on the backside of the book represent each of the consecutive 1000 year periods of the earth's temporal existence. The seventh seal represents the seventh thousand year period of the earth's temporal existence or the millennial reign of Jesus Christ. It is like a sabbath of the earth's temporal existence. Thus the opening of the book in Revelation 6-7 gives us a summation of the earth during its first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth thousand year periods. The following chapters of the Book of Revelation, excepting chapter 12, tells us of the events of the seventh thousand year period of this earth's temporal existence and of the earth being changed to a celestial sphere
To Joseph Smith, it was also revealed that the events of chapter 7 were to occur in the sixth seal or the sixth thousand year period of the earth's temporal existence:
Doctrine and Covenants 77:9-11
9 Q. What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east, Revelation 7th chapter and 2nd verse? A. We are to understand that the angel ascending from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels having the everlasting gospel, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And, if you will receive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things.
10 Q. What time are the things spoken of in this chapter to be accomplished? A. They are to be accomplished in the sixth thousand years, or the opening of the sixth seal.
11 Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe? A. We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.
It is my personal belief that we are currently living in the last days of the sixth seal or six thousand year period of the earth's temporal existence. The Lord Jesus is to come again on the earth after the opening of the seventh seal. It is my personal belief that the sixth seal will end around 2033 or 2034. More on this in a subsequent post.
Doctrine and Covenants 77:6-7
6 Q. What are we to understand by the book which John saw, which was sealed on the back with seven seals? A. We are to understand that it contains the revealed will, mysteries, and the works of God; the hidden things of his economy concerning this earth during the seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence.
7 Q. What are we to understand by the seven seals with which it was sealed? A. We are to understand that the first seal contains the things of the first thousand years, and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh.
From the above verses, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that the temporal existence of the earth will last 7000 years. This means that from the fall of Adam and Eve until the end of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, will be 7000 years. We believe that this patterns the temporal existence of the earth similar to the seven periods of creation. We believe that each of the seven seals on the backside of the book represent each of the consecutive 1000 year periods of the earth's temporal existence. The seventh seal represents the seventh thousand year period of the earth's temporal existence or the millennial reign of Jesus Christ. It is like a sabbath of the earth's temporal existence. Thus the opening of the book in Revelation 6-7 gives us a summation of the earth during its first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth thousand year periods. The following chapters of the Book of Revelation, excepting chapter 12, tells us of the events of the seventh thousand year period of this earth's temporal existence and of the earth being changed to a celestial sphere
To Joseph Smith, it was also revealed that the events of chapter 7 were to occur in the sixth seal or the sixth thousand year period of the earth's temporal existence:
Doctrine and Covenants 77:9-11
9 Q. What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east, Revelation 7th chapter and 2nd verse? A. We are to understand that the angel ascending from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels having the everlasting gospel, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And, if you will receive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things.
10 Q. What time are the things spoken of in this chapter to be accomplished? A. They are to be accomplished in the sixth thousand years, or the opening of the sixth seal.
11 Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe? A. We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.
It is my personal belief that we are currently living in the last days of the sixth seal or six thousand year period of the earth's temporal existence. The Lord Jesus is to come again on the earth after the opening of the seventh seal. It is my personal belief that the sixth seal will end around 2033 or 2034. More on this in a subsequent post.
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